This particular drive took place in around the Las Vegas. The desert metropolis is predestinged for the GT Roadster: It symbolizes excess and glamour, and the contrast with surrounding landscape is compelling: The bizarre rock formations and the grandiose canyons are accessible by beautiful open roads – some of which are rather lightly patrolled.

Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster

The AMG GT roadster comes in two versions: There’s a standard GT, rated at 469 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque; it charges from zero to 60 mph in a claimed 3.9 sec and tops out at a governed 188 mph; above that, AMG is introducing a new power and equipment level, the GT C, which sits above the GT S but below the GT R versions of the coupe. (Mercedes is mum on the subject of a GT C hardtop.) The GT C roadster makes 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque, it is said to hit 60 mph in 3.7 sec, and the governor is reprogrammed to 196 mph. We suspect AMG wants to save 200-plus-mph software for a Black Series version, which is sure to hit showrooms eventually. All AMG GT models are powered by same twin-turbocharged 4.0-lit V-8, internally code-named M178.

The main body structure of the AMG GT Roadster is strengthened with extra bracing throughout, while the bootlid is constructed from a new composite material. Both the Roadster models also adopt tech from the track-focused AMG GT R that the AMG GT coupes don’t benefit from. This includes active aerodynamics, along with vertical louvres behind the grille opening and closing to boost cooling or reduce drag. Both the cars also benefit from tweaked exterior styling, along with a new Panamerica 15-bar grille borrowed from the GT3 racing car, plus the revised air intakes and new alloy wheel designs.